Compaction unit



Dec. 31, 1968 c. E. JO'NES ETAL 3,419,166

COMPACTION UNIT Filed June 27,1966 Sheet of2 a /0 2a F/a/ "T Q 1 1H!" \f 1 i km 11 26 W /6 f INVENTORS.

CHARLES E JONES WILL/AM h. RILEY ATTORNEYS.

3 1968 c. E. JONESETAL 3,

COMPACTION UNIT Filed June 27, 1966 =k 56 M l 55 Ii w 45 P 42 Q5 7;:r h: A v N 58 r f j fin; I 62 K43 INVENTORS.

CHARLES E JONES WILL/AM H. RILEY ATTORNEYS.

United States Patent O 3,419,166 COMPACTION UNIT Charles E. Jones, 1040 S. Trooper Road, and William H. Riley, 2315 Springview Road, both of Norristovvn, Pa. 19401 Filed June 27, 1966, Ser. No. 560,453 9 Claims. (Cl. 214-82) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A compaction unit which may be mounted on a vehicle or may be used separate and apart from a vehicle. The unit is provided with an opening in a side thereof near the front end thereof. Refuse, garbage or the like is entered through the opening which is adapted to be compacted by a compaction blade operatively mounted in the unit and movable lengthwise therein. A pair of hydraulic cylinders are mounted in the forward end of the compaction unit. One of the cylinders is substantially vertical while the other is mounted on a diagonal with respect to the vertically mounted cylinder. The cylinders cooperate with an inclined track to move the compaction blade into desired positions.

This invention relates to a compaction unit, and more particularly, to a compaction unit used in the collection of refuse, garbage and the like, which has a novel means for compacting such refuse during the collection thereof.

In the past, refuse has been placed into compaction units from the rear thereof and the refuse has been cornpacted towards the front of the compaction unit in which it is placed. Thereafter, certain difiiculties were encountered in removing such refuse from the container in which it had been compacted. Also, it is necessary for the compaction blade to be moved lengthwise of the container and, in the past, expensive telescopic cylinders have been utilized to move the compaction blade. It has also been suggested that refuse be compacted towards the rear of a compaction unit but apparatus for accomplishing such compaction has also utilized expensive telescopic cylinders for moving the compaction blade.

Furthermore, most prior art compaction units have been of so great a size and so expensive that it has been physically diflicult or economically impractical to service all areas from which refuse is to be removed. The production of small compaction units has been uneconomical and thus many difiiculties have arisen in removing refuse from various areas where constant use of a compaction unit is desirable.

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the deficiencies present in prior art compaction units.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a compaction unit which is inexpensive to manufacture, reliable in operation, and highly effective in use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a compaction unit which utilizes a plurality of hydraulic cylinders in a structural interrelationship which eliminates the necessity of using expensive telescopic cylinders.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a compaction unit which utilizes a rigid compaction blade, which compaction blade cooperates with a pair of cylinders which cylinders move said blade from the front end of a compaction unit to the rear end thereof.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a compaction unit which is inexpensive to produce and thus may be small enough to service practically any area.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a compaction unit which can be fixed in a definite position for use in a satellite system wherein the contents of a plurality of small compaction units may be ejected into a large compaction unit.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a compaction unit which may be mounted on a vehicle or may be used separate and apart from a vehicle.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The above and other objects are accomplished by the present invention. A compaction unit may be mounted on a vehicle or may be used separate and apart from a vehicle. The compaction unit is provided with an opening in a side thereof near the front end thereof. Refuse, garbage or the like is enter through the opening in the forward end of the compaction unit. A compaction blade is operatively mounted in the compaction unit and is movable lengthwise therein. The compaction blade has guide means for guiding the blade for movement throughout the entire length of the unit.

A plurality of hydraulic cylinders are mounted in the forward end of the compaction unit. One of the hydraulic cylinders is substantially vertically mounted while the other hydraulic cylinder is mounted on a diagonal with respect to the vertically mounted cylinder in the compaction unit. The vertically mounted or upper hydraulic cylinder has rollers attached to one end thereof which are adapted to be guided in a diagonally inclined track. The other end of the upper cylinder is pivotally connected to the unit. The diagonally mounted or lower cylinder is attached to the upper cylinder and is adapted to be moved thereby. Extension of the piston rod of the upper cylinder will cause the rollers to move downwardly along the diagonally inclined track and cause the lower cylinder to attain a substantially horizontal disposition. The compaction blade is integrally connected to the lower cylinder. Thus, when the piston rod of the upper cylinder is caused to move, the lower cylinder transmits such movement to the compaction blade. Thereafter, the piston rod of the lower cylinder is extended and continues the movement of the compaction blade to a position substantially adjacent the rear of the compaction unit.

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings a form which is presently preferred; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view partially in section of the compaction unit of the present invention mounted on a vehicle;

FIGURE 2 is a rear elevational view vention taken on FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a section view taken along line 44 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is similar to FIGURE 4 showing the elements of the present invention in their operative position;

FIGURE 6 is a view taken along line 6-6 of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 7 is a view taken along line 7-7 of FIG- URE 4;

FIGURE 8 is a side view of the present invention utilized in a satellite system.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, there is shown in FIGURES 1-3 a compaction unit designated generally as 10. The compaction unit is shown mounted on a truck 12 which truck includes a cab section 14 and a frame structure 16.

The compaction unit 10 has a generally rectangular shape and comprises side walls 18, a top 20, a base 22, a front wall 24 and a rear door 26. The rear door 26 is of the present ina conventional type rolling door which can be retracted into a space provided in the top 20 of the compaction unit 10. A suitable motor 28 is provided on the top 20 for retracting the rear door 26.

Openings 30 may be provided on each of the side walls 18 of the compaction unit 10. Refuse to be compacted is introduced into the compaction unit through the openings 30. If desired, only a single opening 30 need be provided in only one side of the compaction unit 10.

A compaction blade 32 is mounted adjacent the front wall 24 of the compaction unit 10. The compaction blade 32 is movable towards the rear door 26 to compact refuse 34, garbage or the like towards the rear of the compaction unit 10. The compaction blade 32 is composed of a suitable high strength material, preferably metal, or a combination of materials. The blade may be formed of an integral member or may be composed of several distinct segments which may be welded together. The blade 32 is substantially rigid and a suitable force applied at the base or at any other location thereof is sufiicient to 4 impart movement to the blade. The blade 32 has a recess 33 therein. The recess 33 permits the blade to be moved to a position substantially adjacent the front wall 24 of the compaction unit 10 as will be made clear hereinafter. The recess 33 is covered by a semicylindrical shield 35 which may be formed with the blade or which may be welded to the blade after the blade has been formed. The shape of the blade as seen in FIGURES 1, 4 and facilitates complete compaction of the refuse 34 in the unit. The blade 32 forces the refuse, garbage or the like in a rearward and upward direction so that the refuse is compacted in an efficient manner.

A plural cylinder arrangement 28 is provided for moving the compaction blade 32 towards the rear of the compaction unit 10. The plural cylinder arrangement includes an upper cylinder 38 and a lower cylinder 40. Each of the cylinders 38 and 40 may be formed of a body portion within which a piston is housed. Each piston is provided with a piston rod connected thereto. As shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the cylinders 38 and 40 have piston rods 42 and 44 housed therein, respectively. The cylinders 38 and 40 are adapted to extend the piston rods housed therein upon the introduction of hydraulic pressure into the space between the body of the cylinder and the piston. The piston rods 42 and 44 may be extended and retracted in a conventional manner.

Referring now particularly to FIGURES 6 and 7, it is seen that the piston rod 42 is connected at its end 43 to an axle 48 which axle has a plurality of rollers 46 mounted on the ends thereof. The axle 48 and the rollers 46 are also operatively connected to the lower cylinder 40. A U-shaped bracket 50 extends from the lower cylin der 40 and engages the axle 48 upon which the rollers are mounted. FIGURE 4 shows the structural interrelationship of the elements of the compaction unit prior to compacting the refuse in the unit 10. The upper cylinder 38 is substantially vertically supported between the compaction blade 32 and the front wall 24 of the compaction unit 10. The upper cylinder 38 is pivotably mounted on a rod 52 which rod may extend across the width of the compaction unit or may extend from the front wall 24 or the top of the compaction unit 10.

The lower cylinder 40 extends on a diagonal with respect to the front wall 24 from the upper cylinder 38. The lower cylinder 40 does not interfere with movement of the blade 32 because the cylinder 40 is received in the recess 33 provided in the blade 32. The compaction blade 32 can be moved to a position substantially adjacent the upper cylinder 38. Thus, there is practically no wasted space within the compaction unit 10. The rollers 46 are adapted to be received in an inclined track 54 and are adapted to be guided by said inclined track during movement of the piston rod 42. Suitable conduits 56 and 58 are connected to the cylinders 38 and 48, respectively, for providing hydraulic pressure to extend or retract the piston rods housed in the cylinders. The piston rod 44 of the lower cylinder 40 may be integrally connected at 45 to the lowermost end of the compaction blade 32. The connection 45 is suitably reinforced to insure constant interengagement between the piston rod 44 and the blade 32. Thus, any movement of the piston rod 44 will be transmitted to the blade 32.

The base 22 of the compaction unit 10 may be provided with suitable stepped guide means 60 thereon for guiding movement of the compaction blade 32 therealong. Any other suitable guide means for the blade 32 could also be provided. The compaction blade is adapted to be moved from a position adjacent the front wall 24 to a position adjacent the rear door 26.

Conventional suitable automatic controls may be provided outside the unit 10 for sequentially operating the cylinders 38 and 40. A hydraulic mechanism 62 having a suitable supply of hydraulic pressure may be mounted within or outside the unit 10.

In operation, the compaction blade 32 normally is held in its forward position adjacent the front wall 24 as illustrated in FIGURE 4. Refuse, garbage, or the like may be introduced through the openings 30 in the side walls 18 of the compaction unit 10. When it is desired to compact the refuse 34, an operator merely initiates a suitable control and hydraulic pressure is introduced into the cylinder 38 from the mechanism 62 and through one of the conduits 48. The piston rod 42 is extended in a conventional manner and travels down the inclined track 54. As the rollers 46 are guided down the inclined track 54, the upper cylinder 38 pivots about the rod 52 and forces the lower cylinder 40 to attain a substantially horizontal disposition. Movement of the lower cylinder 40 causes the compaction blade 32 to move rearwardly towards the rear door 26. After the piston rod 42 has been substantially fully extended, hydraulic pressure is introduced into the lower cylinder 40 from the mechanism 62 and through one of the conduits 50. The introduction of hydraulic pressure into the lower cylinder 40 causes the piston rod 44 to move rearwardly. The refuse is therefore further forced towards the rear of the unit 10 and after the piston rod 44 has been extended for its entire length, the compaction blade 32 will be in a position adjacent the rear door 26 as illustrated in FIGURE 5. The controls are thereafter reversed and the piston rods 44 and 42 retracted with rod 44 being retracted prior to the retraction of rod 42. Retraction of the piston rods 42 and 44 causes the cylinders 38 and 40 and the compaction blade 32 to return to their positions illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The sequential operation of the cylinders 38 and 40 is preferred. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to operate the cylinders 38 and 40 in any desired sequence of operations.

The compaction blade is made of suitable strong material or a combination of materials such as steel, iron or the like. The lower cylinder 40 is provided with a reinforced connection 45 to the compaction blade 32 so that movement of the lower cylinder 40 or the piston rod 44 results in movement of the compaction blade 32.

While the compaction unit 10 is shown mounted on a truck in the preferred embodiment, it is deemed readily apparent that the compaction unit may also be located apart from a vehicle in any desired area wherein a large amount of refuse is discarded. The compaction unit 10 is suitable for use on the back of a loading platform wherein the continuing use of such a unit would be desirable. Periodically, the rear door 26 could be opened and, as clearly shown in FIGURE 8, a large truck 62 backed up to receive the refuse which has been compacted in the compaction unit 10. Thus, a satellite system may be utilized wherein a plurality of compaction units 10 are utilized in various locations and a single truck 62 is utilized to collect the refuse from each of the satellite compaction units.

Due to the cooperation of the upper cylinder 38 and the lower cylinder 40, expensive telescopic cylinders are not needed in the compaction unit of the present invention. Thus, the upper cylinder provides for initial movement of the compaction blade 32 towards the rear door 26 and, the lower cylinder 40, after attaining a substantially horizontal position, completes the movement of the compaction blade 32 to a position immediately adjacent the rear door 26. The structure of the present invention is so chosen so that when the piston rod 44 has completed its travel, the compaction blade 32 is substantially immediately adjacent the rear door 26. Thus, the necessity for expensive telescopic cylinders has been completely eliminated.

The base 22 of the compaction unit is shown to have step guide means 60 thereon. However, any other suitable guide means could also be used for guiding movement of the compaction blade towards the rear door 26 of the compaction unit 10.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification as indicating the scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. A compaction unit comprising a generally rectangular body, said body having side walls, a front wall, a rear door, a top wall, and a base, at least one of said side walls having an opening therein in which refuse may be introduced into said compaction unit, a compaction blade mounted in said unit, said blade being adapted to compact refuse in said unit, means for moving said blade from one end of said unit to another end of said unit, said means including a dual cylinder mechanism having an upper cylinder and a lower cylinder, rods housed within said cylinders for movement between extended and retracted position, both said upper and lower cylinders having an operative and an inoperative position, said cylinders being in operative position when said rods are extended and said cylinders being in inoperative position when said rods are retracted, inclined guide means mounted in said unit, said upper cylinder having guide follower means connected thereto adapted to cooperate with said inclined guide means, said lower cylinder being coupled to said guide follower means and being adapted to be moved therewith along the inclined guide means, said lower cylinder being coupled to said compaction blade for moving said blade from one end of said unit towards the other end of said unit upon movement of either of said cylinders to operative position.

2. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inclined guide means includes an inclined track mounted in said unit, said upper cylinder having a substantially vertical position with respect to said front wall when in inoperative position, and said lower cylinder being mounted on a diagonal with respect to said upper cylinder when in inoperative position.

3. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein one end of said upper cylinder is pivotally supported by said unit, said upper cylinder being pivoted upon movement of said cylinder to operative position.

4. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 2 wherein said lower cylinder attains a substantially horizontal position upon maximum extension of the rod housed within said upper cylinder.

5. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said guide follower means includes a plurality of rollers attached to one end of said upper cylinder for movement along said guide means and said guide means includes an inclined track.

6. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 4 wherein said base has guide means for guiding movement of said blade along the entire length thereof, and said blade is moved from a position adjacent said front wall to a position adjacent said rear door.

7. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 6 including means for sequentially extending and retracting the rods housed within said cylinders and wherein the rod housed within said lower cylinder is connected to said compaction blade.

8. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said compaction blade has a recess therein so that said blade can be moved to a position substantially adjacent said front wall without contacting said lower cylinder, said lower cylinder being received in the recess in said blade.

9. A compaction unit as set forth in claim 1 wherein said opening is in one of said side walls and said unit is mounted on and supported by a vehicle for movement to any desired location.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,832,488 4/1958 Kamin 214-82 X 2,934,226 4/1960 Dempster et al. 21482 3,161,305 12/1964 Ferrari et al. 21482 3,212,656 10/1965 Kamin 21482 ROBERT G. SHERIDAN, Primary Examiner. 

